Top storylines to watch in the county semis
Northport quarterback Gavin O'Brien, left, and North Babylon running back Jack Miller. Credit: Peter Frutkoff; Errol Anderson
There is a contrast in offensive styles between the football teams at Northport and North Babylon.
One will run the ball all day to punish and wear down the opponent. The other will find the right balance between the run and the pass.
The more balanced offense from Northport won the first time around. The Tigers upended North Babylon, 35-19, early this season in Suffolk Division II. Tigers quarterback Gavin O’Brien, making only his second varsity start, torched the Bulldogs secondary for 243 yards and four touchdown passes. He completed all six of his passes in the game.
North Babylon (6-3) will travel to play Northport (8-1) in a Suffolk Division II semifinal Saturday at noon.
It’s simple to find the Bulldogs' key to a win: play better in the secondary the second time around.
On the other side, Northport linebacker Charlie O’Brien and company will have their hands full with a North Babylon running game that finds itself in high gear. They are led by Long Island’s leading rusher Jack Miller, who has carried 224 times for 1,798 yards and 24 touchdowns. When it’s not Miller carrying the rock, it’s Chandler Como and TJ Shaw.
O’Brien has been outstanding, passing for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“He’s been terrific,” Northport coach Pat Campbell said. “It’s not easy to come back to play after a few years and lead the offense and make the right reads.”
For more storylines to watch this weekend, check out our county semifinal preview and picks.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
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